Granholm to tour Harbor Shores

Development anchored by Nicklaus golf course explained at new centers.

Development anchored by Nicklaus golf course explained at new centers.

July 29, 2008|By CAROL DRAEGER Tribune Staff Writer

BENTON HARBOR -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to be in town today to tour the $500 million Harbor Shores Development that promises to put Benton Harbor on the golf map while lifting the city out of its economic doldrums. The 530-acre mixed-use development spans Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and Benton Charter Township. Its anchor is an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course including the Midwest's first Nicklaus Signature Golf Academy, say organizers. The development also includes marinas, two hotels, a conference center, an indoor water park, business and residential projects, and 83 acres of new parks. Some residents have not liked the plan to convert part of Jean Klock Park into the golf course. Harbor Shores wants to lease about 22 acres of the park for three golf course holes. In exchange, Harbor Shores would add 38 acres of land to the park and would give the underused park a major face-lift with walking trails and nature observing points. Recently, the National Park Service agreed to allow the conversion of parts of Jean Klock Park into the Harbor Shores development project. Granholm and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton have applauded the decision. Upton also will tour the development with Granholm today. On Monday, Harbor Shores developers said two new information centers showcase the Harbor Shores Project. A Discovery Center is open at 301 State St. in St. Joseph and a Transformation Center is open at 88 W. Main St. in Benton Harbor. The centers highlight a different aspect of the project. The Discovery Center gives businesses and residents the opportunity to learn about the lifestyle, amenities and real estate opportunities that Harbor Shores will offer. The centerpiece of the Discovery Center is a large-scale model of the Harbor Shores development, including the golf course. The center introduces the four districts within the development, the golf, harbor, river and shores districts. It will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. "It has always been our goal to ensure that the citizens of our community as well as visitors have as many opportunities as possible to learn about the proposed project and improvements," said Harbor Shores trustee and Cornerstone Alliance President and CEO Wendy Dant Chesser. The Transformation Center is focused on how area residents can tap various community programs to improve their homes and their neighborhoods. The hours for the center are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Art Hop nights. Harbor Shores is being developed by the Alliance for World-Class Communities, Cornerstone Alliance, Whirlpool Foundation, and the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Benton Charter Township, Berrien County, and the state of Michigan.